Missouri 2012 Fall
The magazine of Missouri Western State University
women’s athletics: today & yesterday page 14 Check out the Life-Stage Gift Planner ™ !
At various stages of our lives, we all deal with different issues, financial and otherwise. These stages of life need to be taken into account when you are planning your gift for Missouri Western.
The Life-Stage Gift Planner™ will help guide you through the financial strategies and possible charitable solutions to the tax issues you may be facing.
For more information on the Life-Stage Gift Planner™, please go to www.missouriwestern.giftplans.org contact Jerry Pickman at 816-271-5648, or email him at [email protected].
MWSU Foundation Spratt Hall Room 111 4525 Downs Drive St. Joseph, MO 64507 816-271-5647
On the cover: Soccer player Ashlyn Castillo, tennis player Alicia Jenkins, and volleyball player Hannah Zimmerman, along with the softball team, grace our cover highlighting women’s athletics. Photos by Eric Callow ’96. Contents The Missouri Western Magazine is a publication of the University Advancement Office for alumni and friends of Missouri Western State University and its predecessor institutions. Departments 2 Campus News Fall 2012 • Volume 10 Number 3 12 Sports Editor Diane Holtz 18 Alumni News
Design Editor 27 Alumnotes Kendy Jones ’94
Director of Alumni Services Colleen Kowich Features Alumni Board Robert Sigrist ’95, President 14 Women’s Athletics: Today and Yesterday Shelby Coxon ’99, First Vice President The first women’s intercollegiate sports teams came to Missouri Western in David Slater ’82, Second Vice President Randy Klein ’78, Immediate Past President 1975; read how they came about and what is happening in women’s athletics on campus today. Bryan Alford ’12, Sheryl Bremer ’81, Carole Dunn ’91, John Fabsits ’04, Gini Fite ’01, Bill Gondring ’56, Luke
Gorham ’06, Diane Hook ’90, Claudia James ’85, Brian 22 Dishing Up Healthy Jardes ’05, James Jeffers ’73, Linda Kerner ’73, Bruce Kneib ’84, Brandy Meeks ’07, Kendell Misemer ’82, Arthur Today, more and more people seem to be taking a good, long look at their Montgomery ’89, Molly Pierce ’77, Zachary Ramsay ’02, eating habits and lifestyles, and many have made an effort to try to adopt a Melissa Rewinkel Taylor ’93, Ralph Schank ’82, Tom more healthy approach to eating. Read about three alumni and two students Schneider ’64, Katy Schwartz ’08, Angie Springs ’02, and the choices they’ve made. Jennifer Stanek ’99, Mary Vaughan ’79, Nichi Yeager ’99.
Foundation Board Jim Carolus, Chair Corky Marquart ’84, Vice Chair Pete Gray, Secretary John Wilson, Treasurer
Ted Allison, Drew Brown, Michelle Cebulko ’93, Stephen Cotter ’78, Pat Dillon, Ed Haffey ’62, Stephen Hamilton, 14 Cindy Hausman, Judith Hausman, Diane Hook ’90, Jason Horn ’95, Jennifer Kneib ’89, Chris Looney, Al Purcell, David Roberts, J.L. Robertson, LaVell Rucker ’03, Lee Sawyer, Dave Shinneman, Melody Smith ’87, Kylee Strough ’03, Jon Styslinger, Robert Vartabedian, Julie Woods ’96, Zack Workman ’74, Seth Wright, Chuck Zimmerman and Jonathan Yordy, executive director.
Board of Governors Kylee Strough ’03, Chair Dirck Clark ’85, Vice Chair
Leo Blakley ’62, Dan Danford ’78, Lesley Graves, Tommye Quilty ’96, Deborah Smith ’79, Brian Shewell, 22 Student Governor.
Missouri Western Magazine 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 106 St. Joseph, MO 64507 816- 271-5651 www.missouriwestern.edu/magazine [email protected]
Missouri Western State University is an equal opportunity institution. 12 Campus News Skype enables successful Poland practicum
lthough it may not be too unusual The two class times were back-to- of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Afor students to complete an back and met once a week at the start Directors in Portland, Ore., this past internship abroad, there’s one small of the semester. Because of the time spring. She said it was well received by catch when social work students try to difference, Amanda would go online at the conference’s attendees. do that for their practicum – they are 5 p.m., and sometimes be on until 11 Advancing technology, Pam said, is required to report to class once a week. p.m., with an hour break. Later in the the “new normal,” and universities need But Amanda Luzsicza ’12, and Pam semester, she met individually with Ali, to embrace it and make it work for Clary, her instructor and coordinator via Skype. them. “We need to have options for our of the practicum program, found a way Amanda said she appreciated that students.” around the distance issue. Amanda she could Skype with Pam even outside Because they were on the internet, completed her social work practicum of class hours. “If I ever just needed to Pam said she and her students had to in Warsaw, Poland this past spring and talk, she was there. I can’t stress enough be very careful in the class to protect graduated from Missouri Western in how supportive the professors were.” the confidentiality of the students’ May, because Pam was willing to figure Pam is convinced Skyping could work experiences with clients and personnel. out a way to make it work. Thanks for students in a variety of situations, Amanda said her time in Poland to Skype (a service that allows users not just those abroad. There have been was a wonderful experience for her and to communicate by voice, video, and students who completed practica more her husband and their son, and after instant message over the Internet), than an hour away, she said, and Skyping the practicum, she volunteered for the Amanda was “present” for every class. would have saved them from driving in Academy until they returned to the “That’s what social workers do,” Pam to campus every week. United States. said. “We’re all about thinking outside Pam presented, “The Skype’s “I went across the world and the the box and asking, ‘How can we do the Limit: An Innovative Teaching professors still involved me. Skyping things better?’” Technique That Supports Students in in I still felt like I was a part of the Last fall, Amanda, who was getting their Field Education Settings,” at a school,” Amanda said. ready to complete her last semester national conference for the Association as a social work major the following spring with a 456-hour practicum, An Evening of Cabaret found out her husband, Frank ’99, was being transferred to Warsaw for a temporary assignment. “I went into panic mode when I found out. I ran to my professors, and they were totally supportive,” she said. Amanda was hired for her practicum by the European Academy of Diplomacy, and Pam set it up so Amanda could be Skyped in for not only her seminar class, but also a research class with Dr. Ali Kamali, another required course in the program. Pam said they set their chairs in a circle in her class and attached the camera to the back of one of the chairs. They would move the camera around so Amanda could view whoever was speaking. Music students entertained members of the Missouri Western Arts Society at the society’s annual meeting this past spring. The students, directed by Dr. Susan Carter, presented “An Evening of Cabaret.”
2 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu President’s Perspective
Dear Alumni Greek Village on campus! and Friends, Applied t’s here – it’s new – and everyone is Monica, a junior who has always lived learning is one Iexcited about it! That’s the word on the on campus, said she had been thinking of the hallmarks addition of Greek quarters on campus about applying to be an RA and thought of a Missouri this fall when suites in Juda Hall were set the inauguration of Greek quarters was Western education. aside for Greek sororities and fraternities. a good time for her to do it. “I was really The university’s They filled up quickly, and nine suites, all excited to be in a Greek village. I think commitment to on the west side, are now housing Greeks it’s a great opportunity to get Greeks providing students with relevant experiences from five of the university’s 10 Greek more involved on campus.” is well recognized, and is included in organizations – Alpha Sigma Alpha, She believes many Greeks currently Missouri statutes as our statewide mission. Sigma Sigma Sigma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, live off campus, so she’s hoping the This combination of theoretical education Phi Delta Theta, and Alpha Gamma residential area reserved for them will in the classroom and practical knowledge Delta. bring them back on campus and get through applied learning serves our Mark Stier, director of residential them more involved in university life. graduates well. life, said campus housing for Greeks was Several who are living in the Greek One program that is a great source a goal of Missouri Western’s president, quarters this fall, in fact, had been living of pride is the Craig School of Business Dr. Robert Vartabedian. It is part of an off campus last year. Entrepreneurship Challenge in which initiative to not only increase the number “I think the Greek students are outstanding seniors can earn an opportunity of Greeks who live on campus, but to extremely excited to live in the Greek to own/operate a Rocky Mountain Chocolate increase the number of students who are quarters and excited for the possibilities Factory store upon graduation. Through this involved in Greek social organizations. that go along with living within close program, established only three years ago, “It provides a deeper sense of proximity of one another and building a Missouri Western graduates now operate nine community for Greeks,” Mark said of stronger brother- and sisterhood,” said stores throughout the nation. The university’s the new Greek quarters. “And having an Isaiah Collier, student life director. “I unique Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory actual place on campus will encourage came from an institution that has Greek opportunity and the Craig School of Business new students to look into Greek life.” housing, and I know the kind of unity it are attracting national attention. Mark said the three buildings that can foster.” This is just one example of applied contain suites, Juda, Beshears and Logan; He believes one of the main benefits learning experiences that occur at Missouri will be remodeled and gain new furniture is that Greek numbers “will most Western every day. Our students take the over the next three years, but Juda was likely soar, building stronger leaders on knowledge they learn in the classroom and selected to be completed first to “make campus.” apply it in their fields of study through a statement that Greek housing was Mark said banners with each internship opportunities, teaching experiences, important to us.” organization’s Greek letters will hang on nursing practica, and independent research. Two students, Monica Silber and the outside of Juda, so campus visitors In 2007, we projected that by 2012, 90 Charmaine Banez, both members of will be aware of the Greek quarters. percent of our graduates would participate Sigma Sigma Sigma, were hired as “I think this is a great step that in an applied-learning experience. I am resident assistants for this year and will the university is taking to show its proud to say that we attained that goal, and work specifically with the Greeks. dedication to Greek life,” Isaiah said. are now focused on achieving 100 percent participation by 2017. Missouri Western has worked hard to SGA supports disabled students develop an approach in which theoretical and applied learning unite to provide our students isability Services Coordinator Mike allocated almost $100,000 for new tables with a quality and effective higher education. DRitter ’02, said his role is to create and chairs in 14 classrooms, in an effort We are proud that almost all of our students a culture on campus where everyone to make classrooms more flexible and graduate with practical workforce experience. understands that when disabled students accessible. The furniture was in place by enroll, Missouri Western is going the time the fall semester started. to create opportunities for them. So “SGA is doing the right thing,” Mike was thrilled when the Student Mike says. “They didn’t hesitate a bit to Bob Vartabedian Government Association this past spring pass the bill.” President
FALL 2012 3 Campus News Students thrive in Costa Rica
wo different groups of students Ttraveled to Costa Rica in May, and they all came home with a wealth of experience and great memories. Ten nursing students who had completed either their first or second semester in the program spent five days working in temporary clinics and pharmacies in Costa Rica’s capital, San José, and eight other students spent three weeks in Spanish language classes, earning three credit hours. Nursing student Amanda McGaughy with a young patient at a clinic where she volunteered in Costa Rica. “Students could never ever learn in the classroom what they can learn in the Both Spanish and nursing students from Missouri Western traveled to Costa Rica in May. Top photo at foreign country,” said Dr. Ana Bausset- left, Spanish students pose with Max at the airport; bottom, nursing students in Costa Rica. Page, assistant professor of Spanish, who accompanied the Spanish students. “The She and Dr. Cosette Hardwick, associate completed her second semester in the experience they get is unbelievable.” professor in the physical therapist program this past spring. Julie Baldwin, associate professor of assistant program, travelled with the Dominique Leone ’10, who nursing, agreed, saying that working in a nursing students. completed her first semester in nursing foreign clinic is an invaluable experience For two weeks, the Spanish students this past spring, agreed. “It gave me a lot for students. “It really challenges their lived with host families within walking of confidence for my second semester. I thinking. They are in an environment distance of their school in Heredia. feel like I have a leg up on the students that is totally foreign. The facilities are In the afternoons, after their morning who didn’t go. We all developed critical hot and crowded, and students have to language classes, the students learned thinking skills we didn’t have before. think through how to coordinate care.” Spanish dances, Spanish cooking and The trip will definitely make me a better jewelry making. nurse.” In a country known for its diverse Lisa Winslow, a Spanish major and ecosystems, students in both groups business minor, had never travelled had the opportunity to visit the outside the United States before the trip. rainforest where they saw monkeys, She said it was an amazing experience. sloths, crocodiles, toucans and snakes. “I would encourage anyone who is Spanish students spent their third thinking about a trip to do it.” She said week attending the school’s location in her Spanish greatly improved since Samara, right on the Pacific Ocean, and she stayed with a family who knew visited a volcano. no English, and the students were not Julie said she had accompanied allowed to speak English at the school. nursing students to Honduras in 2007, The nursing group took more than and at the beginning of this past spring 2,000 toothbrushes with them that were semester, her current students said donated by the campus and St. Joseph they wanted to take a similar trip. She communities. They also took coloring worked with an organization called sheets about hygiene and crayons for the International Service Learning to children at the clinics. arrange the trip. “What I loved the most was watching “My confidence grew 100 percent the changes in the students and watching with my nursing skills. I feel revived them grow. It was so visible,” Cosette and renewed. I truly believe in myself said. “I think they all had wonderful ‘Aha’ now,” said Amanda McGaughy, who moments.”
4 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu News Briefs University receives Missouri Western is beneficiary $1 million grant of two estates Missouri Western, the St. Joseph Metro Chamber and several other education and he Foundation was recently notified Ed, a 1939 graduate, became the first business partners were awarded a $1 million Tthat it is the beneficiary of two estate member of Missouri Western’s Clock grant to establish an Innovation Campus, which trusts, one of long-time faculty member Tower Society in 2005 when he notified will help employees and potential employees in Roberta Riemer and one of alumnus the Foundation that it was a beneficiary high-demand business and industries complete Ed Vincent. of his estate. The income from Missouri post-secondary degrees. The Missouri Western Roberta was hired as the St. Joseph Western’s portion of approximately project is one of nine Innovation Campuses Junior College’s only music teacher $1.5 million will be distributed annually funded throughout the state. in 1954 and taught for 30 years. She and is designated for scholarships for Beginning this fall, the MWSU Innovation established a college orchestra, a strings St. Joseph’s Central High School Campus program will enroll adults and high program for youth in the community, and graduates. school students in relevant educational tracks, gave private lessons to strings students “I always wanted to establish a with financial aid of up to $7,500 to pursue for many years. She and her husband, scholarship for some deserving person college degrees. Partners include Missouri Louis, played a large role in the founding to go to college,” Ed said in 2005. He set Western, the St. Joseph Metro Chamber, the of the Saint Joseph Symphony. up the trust to honor his parents and his Community Alliance of St. Joseph, Metropolitan Because of her love of strings, it sister, a 1935 junior college graduate. Community College, the St. Joseph School is fitting that the couple’s trust of Jerry Pickman, director of District, the Northwest Workforce Investment approximately $1.5 million is designated development, noted that unless otherwise Board and eight business partners: Heartland for the Missouri Western strings program specified, estates are endowed so the gift Health, Hillyard Industries, Boehringer and scholarships for strings students. continues into perpetuity. Ingelheim Vetmedica, Gray Manufacturing, Lifeline Foods, Altec Industries, Blue Sun Biodiesel and Albaugh. Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2012 As their in-kind donation to the initiative, the partnering businesses will provide substantial he Griffon Athletics Hall of Fame almost every receiving record and is and targeted on-site training and mentoring Tcommittee announced the 2012 class: still the only Griffon to ever receive the for participants beyond what would otherwise Bob Alcorn ’52, men’s basketball; Jerris MIAA’s Offensive MVP Award. Brice occur within the company. Participants may Evans ’02, football; Brice Garnett ’06, was a three-time NCAA All-American receive college credit for these applied learning men’s golf; Lisa Hughes ’90, women’s for the Griffons and qualified for the experiences. basketball; Tony Williams ’99, football; NCAA National Tournament twice and the 1993-94 women’s basketball team. during his school career. This year’s Hall of Fame weekend Tony is the all-time leading rusher in Two master’s programs is Sept. 28-29. Events include a Friday Missouri Western football history and designated night reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. also holds the record for most rushing Two of Missouri Western’s graduate degree and an induction brunch Saturday at 11 touchdowns in a career and most rushing programs, the Master of Applied Science in a.m., both in the Fulkerson Center. The yards in a game. Lisa was the all-time Human Factors and Usability Testing and the ring ceremony will take place at halftime leading scorer in women’s basketball Master of Applied Science in Chemistry, were of the football game against Central history until Jessica Koch broke her recently designated “Professional Science Oklahoma. record this past season. Lisa also holds Master’s Programs” by the Council of Graduate Cost to attend the brunch is $20 per the records for most rebounds in a career Schools, a national organization dedicated to person. For more information on the and field goals made. the advancement of graduate education and weekend events, contact the department The 1993-94 women’s basketball research. Its membership includes over 500 of athletics at 816-271-5926. team went 29-3 overall, held a perfect universities in the United States and Canada, Bob played and coached for the 16-0 record in the MIAA, hosted and and 25 universities outside the U.S. and St. Joseph Junior College. As a player, he won the NCAA South Central Regional Canada. was named first team All-Junior College and is one of only three Griffon Conference and was named Honorable teams in any sport to win a regional Mention All-America following the championship. They competed in the 1951-52 season. Jerris played for the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in Griffons from 1998-2001. He holds school history. FALL 2012 5 Campus News Campus Kudos
Outstanding Students: Outstanding professors: • Dr. Melissa Daggett, associate professor The Griffon News earned 22 awards • David Tushaus, professor of legal studies of biology, was selected to participate and its editor-in-chief was named the and chair of the department of criminal in a National Science Foundation- top college journalist in the state at the justice, legal studies and social work, funded faculty development workshop, Missouri College Media Association was selected for a Fulbright award to do C.R.E.A.T.E. (Consider, Read, convention, which was hosted by Missouri research and teach at Banaras Hindu Elucidate the hypotheses, Analyze and Western. University in Varanasi, India, this fall. interpret the data, and Think of the next David Hon, a junior convergent media He is one of about 800 Fulbright U.S. Experiment) at Hobart and William major from Platte City, Mo., and president Scholars sent abroad for a semester. Dave Smith Colleges in New York this past of Missouri College Media Association, is working at the Indian university’s legal summer. Participants learned how to beat out eight other nominees to be named clinic and teaching a class, with a focus challenge students to think and act Journalist of the Year, Missouri Western’s on access to justice. as scientists using the C.R.E.A.T.E. strategy. first recipient since 1998. David also took • Dr. Eduardo Castilla-Ortiz, assistant home first and second place in-depth professor of Spanish, has been selected Missouri Western Foundation reporting, third place and honorable as Outstanding JayDoc Interpreter- Awards: mention in editorial writing, third place Volunteer for 2011-12. JayDoc Free in investigative reporting and first place in Clinic is operated by University of Jesse Lee Myers Excellence in section front page design. Kansas medical students under the Teaching Awards: Brooke Carter swept the top three supervision of attending licensed Dr. Mary Still, psychology; Dr. Daniel places in the editorial cartoon category physicians. Trifan, history; and Dr. Cary Chevalier, and won the information graphic and • Dr. Nathanael May, assistant professor biology advertising categories. She also shared of music, is the winner of The American the top honors with other staff members Dr. James V. Mehl Outstanding Prize in Piano Performance-Solo in the section front page design category, Faculty Scholarship Award: Division in the professional category for with David, sports page category, with 2012. He was selected from applications Dr. Shensheng Tang, engineering Thomas Huitt-Johnson and Jason Brown, from across the country. The American technology and Dr. Matthew Edwards, and feature page category with Christian Prize is a series of non-profit national music Mengel, Jesse Bilderback, Blair Stalder competitions designed to recognize and Presidential Citation Awards and Jason Brown. reward the very best performing artists The Griffon Yearbook won second place Service to Western Students: and ensembles in the country based on in the main category, theme development. Elaine Bryant, student success recorded performances. Jeff Meyer earned first and third in sports Service to Campus Colleagues: photography and second place in feature Cindy Spotts-Conrad, financial aid photography. Service to the University: Peggy Ellis, Western Institute At the second annual Engineering Technology Awards Banquet, a fund-raiser for the department of engineering technology, Rick Schultz of RS Electric Corp.,center, received the 2012 Community James J. Scanlon Service-Leader Award: Excellence Award, and Alex Atchity, third from left, received the 2012 Student Excellence Award. Chad Elifrits, WRDCC diagnostic Pictured is Zane Brickey, Al Landes, Alex, Rick, Ryan Schultz, Ron Auxier, and Dr. Robert Vartabedian, education; and Dr. Nathanael May, music Missouri Western’s president. Congratulations to the 2011-12 retirees: Mona Bledsoe, Rhonda Brewington, Dr. Kenneth Dagel, Dr. Nancy Edwards, Judy Fields, Ramona Finley, Dr. Jane Frick, Rosalie Guyer, Alice Harless, Ken Lewis, Dan Nicoson, Sandra Phillips ’84, Dr. John Rushin, Dr. David Steiniche, Dr. Ann Thorne, Roger Voelkel, Dr. Phillip Wann, and Beth Wheeler ’77.
6 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Owners News Briefs Personnel Changes • Dr. Brian Cronk assumed the position of chair of the department of psychology June 1, following the retirement of Dr. Phil Wann. Brian will also serve as faculty assistant to the provost and will continue to work with grants and assessment projects through the office of the provost. Recently, Brian had been an associate provost and dean of the graduate school. He has been at Missouri Tim Schimming ‘12, Brittany Malone ‘12, and Isaac Collins ‘11, are the latest graduates to become Western since 1993, serving as a faculty owners and operators of a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store as part of Missouri Western’s member in the department of psychology. unique partnership with Steve Craig and RMCF. Tim now operates a store in California, Brittany in He was interim dean of the graduate school 2010-11. Nebraska and Isaac in Iowa. • Dr. Ben Caldwell is the new dean of the graduate school. Ben served as chair of the department of chemistry since 2007, where T. Boone Pickens to speak he has been a faculty member since 1998. • Dr. Mike Ducey is the new chair of the at Convocation department of chemistry. He has been a he legendary oil and gas entrepreneur A folk hero in global business known faculty member since 2001. TT. Boone Pickens will be the speaker for his tenacity in the rough-and-tumble • Dr. Teddi Deka, professor of psychology, at the Convocation on Critical Issues at world of mergers and acquisitions, T. is the new director of the honors program. 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in the M.O. Boone first built and led one She will replace Dr. Elizabeth Latosi Sawin, Looney Complex arena. His of the largest independent who will return to teaching English. speech is titled, “Leadership natural gas and oil and Getting Things Done: companies. Then, at a time Reflections on a Lifetime of in his life when many of Wish list Comebacks and America’s his peers retired to the golf Would you like to direct your financial Energy Future.” The course, he reinvented himself support to a a particular item or department? Convocation is free and open by establishing one of the Check out missouriwestern.edu/givingtowestern to the community. nation’s most successful and click on “Other Funding Priorities.” There He will also participate in energy-related investment you will find several departments’ wish lists. a question-and-answer session T. Boone Pickens funds. He chronicled the Some items included: at a special Convocation lessons he learned during • Patrol vehicle – University Police luncheon following the speech. his journey in his bestselling Department. Because of T. Boone’s schedule, his 2008 autobiography titled, “The First presentation is later than usual, and Billion is the Hardest: Reflections on • New desks and chairs for Popplewell Hall the luncheon replaces the traditional a Life of Comebacks and America’s 102 – department of history, philosophy and Convocation dinner this year. Energy Future.” Ranked by Forbes as geography. Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri one of the world’s richest people, T. • New Macintosh computers – department Western’s president, has some Boone serves as the chair of BP Capital of music. The current computers will not personal knowledge of T. Boone and Management. accommodate the latest version of software enthusiastically endorsed his selection as He is a noted energy activist who needed for coursework, music interpretation the next Convocation speaker. is also an innovative, committed and practice. “Mr. Pickens was the chair of the philanthropist who has donated nearly Board when I was hired at West Texas $1 billion to charity. His impact on Please contact the development office at A & M University nearly 25 years ago, American culture reflects his many 816-271-5648 if you can help with these wish so I have seen him in action ‘up close’ interests and passions, including an list items. Thank you! and from afar,” Dr. Vartabedian said. unyielding belief in the entrepreneurial “I know that he will be an interesting, spirit, leadership and corporate informative, and colorful addition to our fitness, the need for alternative fuel prestigious annual Convocation development, and prudent stewardship on Critical Issues.” of American lands. WINTERFall 20102012 7 Campus News Jane Frick closes out an influential career She served as director of the Prairie Lands Writing Project
r. Jane Frick’s mission throughout But perhaps her greatest legacy will Jane said she was surprised at D her 40-year career at Missouri be her work as director of the Prairie how much she enjoyed her new role. Western has been to improve writing Lands Writing Project, a position she “When I became director, I took it on skills, and as an English professor and has held since 1999. because no one else was available in director of the Prairie Lands Writing In 1987, Norma Bagnall, professor the department. I was surprised how Project, her impact and influence emerita of English, received a grant invigorating it was for me to work have been felt of $10,000 to with teachers,” she said. “It has been a by hundreds of begin the St. tremendous learning experience for me.” students and Joseph Writing From the time Jane became director teachers. Project, where in 1999 through 2011, PLWP had “I really, really Missouri Western received grants from the National like teaching,” she says, especially the partnered with the St. Joseph Writing Project and the state totaling intellectual conversation that often School District to offer professional more than $700,000, and in 2010-11, comes alive in the classroom. She said development opportunities for area the project provided 70 activities and she enjoys seeing students’ writing K-16 teachers in order to improve programs to 1,309 K-16 teachers or change over the course of the semester the writing skills of their students. It students in 32 area counties. as they become more insightful and has been part of the National Writing Along with several workshops for analytical when they are challenged. Project from the start. area teachers with topics ranging from Along with her teaching, Jane, who In 1996, English Professor Judy working with technology to improve retired in June, served as department Martin became the director of the learning, to copyright issues, PLWP chair in the department of English, program when Norma retired. The next has also conducted an annual summer foreign languages and journalism from year, the name was changed to Prairie Invitational Institute every year but two 1982-2000. Since 2006, she has also Lands Writing Project to reflect that the since PLWP began at Missouri Western. served as the program coordinator for program was now working with teachers Teachers who are invited to the Graduate Certificate in the Teaching throughout the region and not just participate in the Institute meet one of Writing and the Master of Applied in St. Joseph. When Judy became the Saturday each in April, May and Science in Assessment, writing option. full-time director of Missouri Western’s June, four weeks total in June and Along the way, she even compiled a Center for Excellence in Teaching in July, and one Saturday in September. popular bibliography, “Women Writers 1999, Jane took over the directorship of The Institute, called “the cornerstone Along the River.” the PLWP. of the National Writing Project’s teachers-teaching-teachers professional Area teachers gather for Prairie Lands Writing Project’s Invitational Institute on campus. development model,” offers reading, research, writing, teacher demonstration, and reflection activities to help participants improve and enhance their knowledge about current issues and developments in the fields of literacy, rhetoric and composition, and school reform. “Teachers who participate (in the Invitational Institute) talk about how it’s life-changing for them professionally,” Jane said. “They like networking, sharing ideas, and improving their skills. Research shows if they get involved in this, they stay in teaching.” More than 200 area teachers have participated in the Institute, Jane said. “What is unique about us is that we collaborate across the grade levels,” continued next page NNewsews BriefsBriefs University honored nationally for service For the fifth straight time, Missouri Western has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and community engagement. The Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education honored 642 colleges and universities for their commitment to bettering their communities through university and service learning by including them in the 2012 honor roll. Missouri Western submitted three exemplary community service projects in the 2010-11 school year for consideration: Griffon Edge new student orientation, where more than 950 students logged over 2,000 hours of community service as part of their orientation; the student chapter of The Wildlife Society, which performed countless hours of service for the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge; and Murals for Minds, a Student Government Association project where students spent a day painting murals at a local school (see photo at left). Xidian agreement Missouri Western signed an agreement with Xidian University of Xi’an, People’s Republic of China, to cooperate in academic research and exchange. Tiantian Zou, a professor of English at More than 150 Missouri Western students and community members gathered at the Riverbend Xidian University, spent the past academic year Treatment Center in St. Joseph for the third annual Mural for Minds, where they decorated the at Missouri Western as a Fulbright scholar, facility’s walls. teaching Chinese. The five-year agreement grew out of Missouri Western’s desire to continue Chinese language instruction and awareness of Jane Frick continued from pg. 8 the Chinese culture after Tiantian left, said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president noting that the program is for teachers graduate degree awarded at Missouri for academic affairs. kindergarten through college. Western when Deb Schwebach ’74, The agreement calls on both universities The Institute is part of Missouri earned it in 2007. to explore opportunities for cooperation in the Western’s Graduate Certificate in the Jane said she enjoyed working with exchange of faculty and scholars for the purposes Teaching of Writing and the Master area teachers, especially her former of research, teaching and development; the of Applied Science in Assessment, students. “I’m really sad about leaving exchange of students for the purposes of training, writing option. those personal connections.” internship, degree-pursuing and other activities; PLWP has always offered graduate Now that she is retired, she and her the exchange of information, experience and credit for the Institute, but until husband, Lyman, plan to travel and knowledge of academic fields including research Missouri Western began offering visit their two sons and their families in publications, teaching materials and library graduate degrees, the certificate was Colorado and California. And, of course, materials; and other exchange activities to which awarded by Northwest Missouri State her retirement plans include writing. both universities agree. University. The Graduate Certificate in “I might have to start a blog,” Jane continued next page the Teaching of Writing became the first says with a smile. WINTERFfAaLLll 20102012 9 Campus News Medical technology agreement signed issouri Western recently completed the UNMC and Heartland agreement experience at a local facility worked Mits first year of an agreement with are reserved exclusively for Missouri well for Felicia, Ben noted, because she Heartland Health in St. Joseph and the Western students. could still live on campus and serve as a University of Nebraska Medical Center Medical technology majors complete resident assistant in the residence halls. in Omaha that benefits students in three years at Missouri Western, then Melissa McBride began her clinical Missouri Western’s medical technology participate in an 11-week student in Omaha in June and started in degree program. One student completed laboratory phase at UNMC in the Heartland’s laboratory in August. “I’m a the program this past spring, and a summer, and then spend the following little nervous, but it’s exciting,” she said. second will begin this summer. Dr. Ben academic year in Heartland’s laboratory “It’s a new place and new people, and I’m Caldwell, then chair of the department while taking online courses through close to finishing my degree.” of chemistry, coordinated the agreement UNMC. At Heartland, students rotate Melissa was also accepted into for Missouri Western. through the four laboratory units two Heartland’s Stepping Stones program, Students in the medical technology times as part of their clinical experience: where she commits to working for two program (also known as clinical chemistry, hematology, blood bank and years when she completes her degree laboratory science), must complete a microbiology. In addition, they complete as Heartland pays for her last year one-year clinical experience in a hospital courses in Immunology, Laboratory of education. She is the first medical laboratory as a requirement of the degree Management and Laboratory Theory, technology student to participate in and national certification, and with the Application and Correlation. Stepping Stones. agreement, Missouri Western students Felicia Coe ’12, was the first Missouri All parties agree the first year have a better chance of being accepted Western student to be accepted into the went well. “The people at Heartland into a clinical program. program since the agreement was signed. were super,” said Linda Fell, program The university already has partnerships She completed her clinical experience at director of the clinical laboratory science with hospitals in the Kansas City area Heartland this past spring and was hired program at UNMC. “I love the Missouri where students complete clinicals, in its laboratory full-time. “Heartland Western personnel, too. They are just but Ben noted that Missouri Western personnel were very kind and welcoming, great.” students are competing for those and the UNMC faculty were great to “Ben Caldwell has been an excellent clinical spots with students from several work with, too,” Felicia said. person for the university,” said Cherryl universities. The two spots as part of Having the yearlong clinical Morrow, team leader for the laboratory at Heartland. “I really appreciate working with him.” Heartland initiated the idea for the agreement with UNMC and Missouri Western because of its need for qualified applicants for the position. “It’s a win- win for Heartland and the university,” Cherryl said. “We hope those we train will stay with Heartland.” She noted that in the next five years half of the medical technologists across the country will be retiring, so there is a high demand for laboratory personnel. UNMC currently has agreements with five universities, including the University of Missouri-Columbia and 18 hospital partners.
Felicia Coe ‘12, and Melissa McBride, participants in Missouri Western’s medical technology program with Heartland Health in St. Joseph and the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
10 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu News Briefs Seeking the extra edge Lingering Melodies serves Every year, Missouri Western works to raise undesignated funds, also known as the Annual terminally ill Fund, to help support its mission and provide students an educational experience of the usic bypasses the brain and six years ago. Kari now coordinates highest quality. “Mgoes straight to the soul.” That, Lingering Melodies with Laura “The Annual Fund is the very foundation according to student Rosalind Blackwell, Bodicky from Hands of Hope. of the university’s fundraising efforts,” said is why she says her participation in Rosalind, a junior social work major Laura Buhman ’94, development officer. She Missouri Western’s Lingering Melodies and music minor, has been singing to said funds are raised through regular mailing program is so rewarding. For more than patients for more than a year. “It is truly appeals, email appeals, and the fall and spring a decade, students have been bringing an honor. Music transcends cultures, it’s phone campaign. peace and solace to “It’s always very uplifting,” she says. Laura noted that annual, undesignated gifts terminally ill patients emotional. It hits Sarah Cool ’08, provide that “extra edge,” funds for programs through their music. who graduated with a and priorities on campus that do not receive In 2000, Sally Schwab, some heartstrings not music education degree regular designated support, such as classroom who is currently team generally reached. It and is a Suzuki violin equipment, internships, and experience- leader for spiritual health instructor through the enriching programs like special lectures and at Heartland Health communicates in a way Western Institute’s center visiting professors. and Hands of Hope that speaking cannot.” for community arts, Because the gifts to the Annual Fund Hospice, observed a performed for Lingering are undesignated, they can provide flexible Kari Maag, volunteer coordinator music therapy program Melodies throughout resources where the need is greatest, such for Hands of Hope in Montana and wanted her entire college career as specific funding requests from academic to start something similar and continues to play at departments or campus groups. in St. Joseph. Jackie Thomas, clinical nursing homes occasionally on her own. “Every student that has ever attended pastoral education supervisor/chaplain One social worker told her that she had Missouri Western probably has benefited from at Heartland and whose husband was a never seen the patient smile until Sarah the Annual Fund in some way,” Laura said. professor in the music department at the played fiddle music and the patient For fiscal year 2013, the Foundation time, thought Missouri Western music began to laugh. authorized a special grant of $370,000 from the students would be a great asset to the “It helps them become more Annual Fund to the university. Of that amount, program. peaceful and to enjoy themselves $120,000 was directed to support scholarships So a partnership between Missouri with family members there,” Sarah for students and $250,000 was to assist with Western, Heartland and Hands of Hope said of the patients for whom she has the university’s operating budget challenges. created Lingering Melodies, a program performed. “It is a way to use music “At Missouri Western, our students come where music students perform for to make a really big impact on people. first,” Laura said. “The Annual Fund helps terminally ill patients. Over the years, I had a lot of good interactions with make it possible for us to set the standard the musicians have included vocalists, patients and their families.” percussionists, violinists Kari said they currently have four for excellence in student development and and more. Missouri Western students they can community leadership.” Jackie wrote the first grant call upon when patients request the Contact Laura at 816-271-5920 or application to the Heartland Foundation musicians – Rosalind, Adrienne Collins, [email protected] for questions. and the Missouri Western Foundation Kyle Minx and Jamie Haffner. The We can’t wait to talk to you! When you to fund Lingering Melodies, and the first three are vocalists, and Jamie is a answer the phone this fall, it may be a Missouri program has continuously provided percussionist. Western student calling to ask you to support comfort to patients since then. Jackie “It’s always very emotional. It the 2012 Annual Fund. Thank you in advance trained the music students until Kari hits some heartstrings not generally for accepting our call! Calls will be made for Maag, volunteer coordinator for Hands reached,” Kari said. “It communicates in two weeks at the end of October. of Hope, took over the training about a way that speaking cannot.”
fall 2012 11 athletics News Spring sports Softball including a four-game sweep of Second team honors went to pitcher t was another outstanding spring then-#11 ranked Missouri Southern. Nik Jurado, third baseman Grant Fink, Ifor the softball team as they closed Other highlight victories included and designated hitter Nate Rambler. out the 2012 campaign with a 42- an early season road win against Women’s golf 13 record including an 18-2 MIAA NCAA Tournament participant mark, a runner-up finish in the MIAA North Alabama, a series opening 8-3 ne shot was all that separated the Tournament and their sixth NCAA road victory against Central Missouri Owomen’s golf team from adding a Tournament appearance in eight years. who was ranked #2 nationally at the major piece of hardware to the trophy Sophomore pitcher Jackie Bishop time, and a two-game sweep on the case, as the team finished second in the led the way for the Griffons once again. road against perennial MIAA power MIAA Golf Championship behind She held a 24-5 record with an ERA of Emporia State. first-place Fort Hays State. Junior 1.42 and broke her own school record The Griffons won their opening Natalie Bird finished second individually for strikeouts in a season with 243. round game in the MIAA Tournament with rounds of 79 and 81, which also Her 24 wins rank third all-time in a before falling to Central Missouri and placed her on the All-Tournament team. single season. For her efforts, she was Fort Hays State on day two. She was also named to the All-MIAA named the MIAA Pitcher of the Year Catcher Tony Loeffler was named to team. In 11 events this past year, the for the second straight season, was the the Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove Team team recorded two first places and five Daktronics All-Region Pitcher of the and also named the Defensive Player of second-place finishes. The team returns Year and was named a second team All- the Year for all of NCAA Division II. all but one player for the 2012-13 American. In 45 games this season, Tony did not seasons. At the plate, the Griffons batted make an error and had 227 putouts and Men’s golf .313 as a team in which 10 players held 32 assists. a batting average of .300 or higher. In Individually, six Griffons were season of ups and downs ended addition to Jackie, 10 other softball named to the All-MIAA Team. Pitcher Aon the highest “up” for the men’s players were recognized by the MIAA Brandon Simmons was a first-team golf team. The team closed out an for their performances. Outfielder selection. Brandon tied the university’s inconsistent season finishing third in Maegan Roemmich was named to the single-season record for victories with the MIAA Championships at Paradise first team as she hit .347 with four 11, pitched 10 complete games and had Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville, Mo. The 291 team score shot in the final home runs and 22 RBI. Second team an ERA of 1.94. First baseman Spencer round was the lowest score recorded selections included second baseman Shockley was also named to the first by the team this year. Individually, Blair Stalder and utility player Keri team. He led the Griffs with a .402 junior Tyler Gast had an outstanding Lorbert and honorable mention batting average with six home runs and tournament, finishing runner-up with selections went to pitcher Annalee 35 RBI. Spencer also flashed a stellar rounds of 72, 73 and 70. Tyler was Rubio, catcher Katherine Steponovich, glove in the field with a .992 fielding continued next page first baseman Leah Steele, shortstop percentage. Taylor Anding, third baseman Sarah Elliott, outfielder Breanna Fleschner Griffon catcher Tony Loeffler and outfielder Kendall Sorensen. Baseball he 2012 edition of Griffon baseball Twas historic, as their second place league finish was the highest ever as an MIAA member. The Griffons were 34- 17 overall and 26-12 in the MIAA. Taking advantage of a stretch that saw the Griffons play five consecutive home series at the Spring Sports Complex in the month of March, the team ran off 10 consecutive wins,
12 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Check out sports schedules at gogriffons.com.
Awards banquet honors athletes News Briefs riffon basketball swept the Student Anniversary Award. Bud was a student Griffon drafted by Rams G Athlete of the Year awards, as Jessica trainer at Missouri Western for the Greg Zuerlein, Griffon place kicker, was Koch was named Female Student school’s first football team. Cheer the first pick in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Athlete of the Year, and T.J. Johnson squad member Taylor Kram won the Draft in April, selected by the St. Louis Rams. Greg came to Missouri Western in 2011 was named Male Student Athlete of James J. McMillan Award for the after his former school, University of Nebraska- the Year at the 13th annual MWSU/ graduating senior with the highest Omaha, dropped its football program. St. Joseph News-Press Student Athlete cumulative GPA – 3.95. Football Throughout his college career, Greg made Honors Banquet in April. players Jack Long and Shane Simpson 21 consecutive field goals, including nine The winners were chosen based on won the department’s Award of straight from 50-plus yards. He was named the their performances on the playing field, Valor for their heroic act of saving 2011 season’s MIAA Special Teams Player of in the community and in the classroom an infant who was locked in a hot the Year and set numerous NCAA and Missouri over the past academic year. Jessica car in the summer of 2011. Baseball Western records. His .952 field goal percentage leaves as the all-time leading scorer in player Harrison Cobb was recognized led the nation, and he had 30 touchbacks in his women’s basketball history, while T.J. as the Student Athlete Advisory first and only season in a Griffon uniform. was an honorable mention All-MIAA Committee’s Volunteer of the Year. selection this past season. Mitch Holthus, “Voice of the Legacy Club Bud Epps, longtime Kansas City Kansas City Chiefs,” gave the keynote Attention, alumni student athletes: become a Chiefs trainer, received the Silver address at the banquet. member of the Legacy Club, a new organization just for letterwinners at Missouri Western. Any Jessica Koch was named Female Student Athlete of the Year, and T.J. Johnson was named Griffon student athlete who completed one year Male Student Athlete of the Year. in an intercollegiate varsity sport at Missouri Western is eligible. Membership dues are $100 per year and include one season ticket to all regular season home games. Join online at gogriffons.com or call 816-271-5926. Golf classic a success The 10th annual Celebrity Golf Classic was deemed a success, when 40 four-person teams competed along with 16 area celebrities at the St. Joseph Country Club to raise money for Griffon athletics and the YWCA shelter for abused women and children. The Hy-Vee team of Brad McAnally, Derek continued next page Hileman and golf alumni Chris Riley ’01, and Justin Fallein ’01, won the scramble with a score of 55. The evening before the event, Hy-Vee hosted their annual Celebrity Golf social at the Culver Farm east of St. Joseph, which included silent and live auctions of sports and celebrity memorabilia. Following the classic, an awards Spring sports continued from pg. 12 ceremony was held at and sponsored by St. Joseph Frontier Casino. named to the All-MIAA team for his opening round of the MIAA Tennis finish in the conference tournament Championships at the Plaza tennis and the three other MIAA point events courts in Kansas City, Mo. Singles during the season. victories were recorded by Kayla Dysart and Katie Field, with duos Women’s tennis Kayla Dysart and Ceara Boldridge, or the second consecutive year Katie Field and Nicole Kerr and Alicia Fthe tennis team won a postseason Jenkins and Erin Ward winning their match, defeating Lincoln 5-0 in the doubles matches. Fall 2012 13 The 1972 Title IX law, which championed women’s intercollegiate athletics, marks its 40th anniversary this year, so we looked back on the beginning of women’s athletic teams at Missouri Western (pg. 16), and then took a look at some of the exciting things happening today. today: Facilities improvements, new staff and outstanding athletes
Women’s locker rooms improve Women’s basketball: everal women’s athletics facilities have seen new head coach Simprovements recently, and one team finally has a and assistant coach locker room to call its own. Missouri Western hires national In the spring of 2011, the softball team gained a new field champion head coach in the Spring Sports Complex, and in the past year, the ob Edmisson was hired as head volleyball team’s locker room was remodeled. That project coach for women’s basketball this included new lockers, new carpet, a television, a computer R past spring, and Roger Smith was hired as center and film desk. assistant coach. But perhaps most importantly, the biggest improvement Rob came to the university from to women’s athletics this year is Oklahoma City that the soccer team now has a University, where he state-of-the-art locker room. Rob Edmisson was head coach since Kurt McGuffin, director of 2005. He brings 16 years of college head athletics, said when he arrived coaching experience to Missouri Western. in the fall of 2011 and looked Rob holds a career coaching record over over all the athletic programs, 22 years of 514-150, including a 212-31 getting a locker room for the then record at OCU. His 2011-12 team finished six-year-old soccer team was a top the season 35-1 overall and won the NAIA priority. The team has the largest roster national championship game. – 22 this season – of all the women’s He led OCU to five conference regular- teams, yet it had no locker room and a season championships, five conference lower operating budget than other women’s tournament titles and seven NAIA Division I teams. (That budget increased this year, tournaments in seven seasons. too, thanks to the Gold Coat Victory Fund.) “Rob Edmisson has done a terrific job The new locker room was part of the for us at Oklahoma City University,” said recent $220,000 remodeling of the Baker Jim Abbott, assistant vice president for Family Fitness Center, completed in intercollegiate athletics at OCU. “Rob is very August. The soccer team plays in Spratt passionate and demanding, and the results of his efforts have helped Memorial Stadium, which is adjacent to the Baker Center. maintain OCU as the most successful women’s basketball program in “I know the players are excited,” said Chad Edwards, the second- the country. Rob is a terrific recruiter, is committed to the academic year soccer coach. “I’m excited to have our own place to call ‘home.’” pursuits of his student athletes, and his teams have enjoyed terrific He expects the new facilities will provide a recruiting boost as well. success on the court.”
continued next page
14 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu continued from p. 14 Rob began his head coaching career at Hutchinson Community University under Rob for two seasons. She was on last season’s College in Hutchinson, Kan. in 1993, where he spent nine seasons. national championship team. His teams went 192-89 overall, qualified for the regional playoffs “Tiffany is without a doubt one of the highest energy people I have eight times and produced 25 All-Conference players. He was then been around,” Rob said. “She has a great knowledge of the game hired as assistant coach at Oklahoma State University before being for a young coach. Having played for me and having been on our named head coach at OCU. national championship team will be a huge asset for our staff.” “I’m very grateful that President Vartabedian and Kurt McGuffin Tiffany, originally from Oklahoma City, played high school are giving me the opportunity to take over the women’s basketball basketball at Del City before playing two seasons of junior college program,” Rob said when he was hired. “I look forward to helping basketball at Northern-Enid. She majored in kinesiology at to return the program to a level where we are year-in, year-out Oklahoma City and is in the sport and fitness management competing for MIAA and NCAA championships.” graduate program here. Rob and his wife, Gina, have two children, Corbin and Cierra. Katie Valdez joined the women’s soccer Roger came from Oklahoma City University. He also coached in staff for the next two seasons, and she is the the Oklahoma City area on the high school level, winning a state first assistant coach for the soccer program. championship while on the staff at Putnam City High School. Roger She is also earning the sport and fitness served as the head coach at Casady School and Little Axe High management master’s degree at Missouri School, and while on the staff at John Marshall High School, the Western. Katie, originally from Houston, team made it to the state semifinals. played two seasons for the Northeastern Roger and his wife, Cristina, have three children, Isabella, Griffin State University RiverHawks in Talequah, and Price. Okla. She said she has been playing soccer since she was four years old. Two graduate assistants join “I’ve always been really women’s athletics interested in coaching, especially women’s soccer. Soccer is something wo women were recently hired as assistants for women’s I have loved forever,” Katie said. “To be basketball and soccer. Women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson T able to coach and continue my education hired , who had played at Oklahoma City Tiffany Goldwire is a win-win for me.” “Katie will make an immediate impact on our program and players,” coach Chad Women’s Athletics Edwards said when she was hired. “I am looking forward to working with her and Points of Pride know that she will be a tremendous asset for the program.” • The softball team under Coach Jen Bagley played in its Before playing for the RiverHawks, sixth NCAA regional in the past eight years. she played two seasons at Centenary • In 11 events in the 2011-12 seasons, the women’s golf College of Shreveport, La. As a junior team recorded two first places and five second-place for the RiverHawks, she was named finishes. to the Lone Star All-Conference • The women student-athletes have earned a 3.18 GPA first team and last year she overall for the past three years. The women’s basketball helped her squad to an 11-4-2 team had the ninth highest GPA in the nation for the 2009- record. She graduated from 10 academic year. Women’s soccer was awarded NSCAA NSU with a human and health Team Academic Awards for the 2010-11 academic year. performance degree. • Jessica Koch became the all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball history in the 2011-12 season with Page 14: Tennis player Nicole Kerr; 1,727 career points. right, soccer player Erin Widrig. • In the past year, women athletes spent countless hours volunteering in the community for Second Harvest continued next page Community Food Bank, Salvation Army, Special Olympics, Noyes Home, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and more. FALL 2012 15 yesterday: a team of their own
hen most people hear “Title IX,” they immediately think of its Griffon Yearbook reported that the 1971-72 school year was the first year Weffect on women’s collegiate sports, because of the great impact for the Women’s Sports Clubs, and sports included volleyball, basketball it had in that arena. That law, enacted 40 years ago, brought women’s and baseball. “The teams occasionally played other local colleges and city intercollegiate sports to many campuses, including Missouri Western. teams,” the yearbook said. For the first three years of Title IX, its relevance to women’s collegiate However, Charlie said women’s athletics wasn’t without its difficulties sports wasn’t much talked about. In fact, the original statute made no because there was little or no money available for women’s sports. The explicit mention of sports, and instead emphasized hiring and employment first year, Rhesa was given $5,000 for scholarships for female athletes, practices. But in 1975, when the U.S. Health, Education and Welfare and $5,000 for operating expenses, which was lower than the men’s sports Department published the final regulations of how Title IX would be funds. enforced, those involved in college athletics began to understand the effect it “It was a difficult, painful growing process,” Rhesa said of the college’s would have on their world. adjustment to women’s sports. But after a while, she said, the women’s Charlie Burri, Missouri Western’s athletic director at the time, said that teams were too good to be ignored. although the push to begin intercollegiate sports for women came from Basketball earned second place in the state tournament in its first season, Title IX, “we knew it was the right thing to do. There was no question it and the next season, volleyball won the state tournament. That was followed was coming, so we took off right away.” In the 1975-76 academic year, with appearances in several regional and national post-season tournaments Missouri Western added four women’s sports: basketball, softball, tennis continued next page and volleyball. Rhesa Sumrell who had played club volleyball and basketball in college at Middle Tennessee State University, said she had always wanted to coach Women’s Athletics college athletics. When Title IX passed in 1972, she was teaching at a junior high school in Tennessee. the first seasons: She applied at Missouri Western and was hired in 1975 as coordinator of 1975-76 women’s athletics and coach of three of the new sports: basketball, softball and volleyball. Bonnie Greene was hired as the tennis coach. The volleyball team’s first match was against Tarkio College, Tarkio, Mo., Bonnie was teaching physical education at Missouri Western at the and its first season record was 5-14. Team members included Marilyn time and had been serving as an advisor for the women’s clubs. The 1972 Ciolek, Kim Cooper, Nancy Geha, Karen Harris, Brenda Keller, Carole Kelley, Debbie Kriegshauser, Mary Mahoney, Kate Myers, Mary Nichols, Karen Pauley, Janice Petty, Stephanie Prather, Susan Round, and Dot Walsh. Rhesa Sumrell was head coach.
The basketball team held a 13-5 record its first year and earned a second place trophy in the state tournament. Team members were Joni Gilliland, Brenda Keller, Mary Nichols, Stephanie Prather, Beth Wheeler, Kim Cooper, Phyllis Crouse, Carole Kelley, Karen Pauley, Nancy Geha, Debra Mabin, Janice Petty, Joy Sherard, Teresa Whitt, Karen Harris, Shirley Tingler. Rhesa Sumrell was head coach.
Softball went 8-6 its first season. Team members included Candy Burton, Loy George, Karen Harris, Brenda Keller, Debra Mabin, Mary Mahoney, Mary Nichols, Janice Petty and Joy Sherard. Rhesa Sumrell was head coach. (Editor’s note: I was unable to find a complete roster of names. If you were on the first softball team, email me at holtz@missouriwestern. edu or call me at 816-271-5651 so I can list you in the next issue.)
The women’s tennis team was 1-8 its first season. Playing for the team that first year was Chris Felts, Debbie Higdon, Debbie Kriegshauser, Janet Chris Sumrell and her sister, Rhesa Sumrell, returned to campus Long, Linda Martin and Joyce Slayden. Bonnie Greene was head coach. this past spring for a softball reunion and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the team’s 1982 national championship.
16 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Patsy Smith: yesterday: a team of their own athlete to administrator wenty-two years ago, Patsy Smith ’95, enrolled in college to earn Tan accounting degree, and she has been a part of Missouri Western athletics ever since. As an athlete, a parent of athletes, a coach and an administrator, she has firsthand knowledge of women’s athletics at Missouri Western. Although she was a nontraditional student, Patsy decided to play tennis at the suggestion of Karen Mollus, the women’s tennis coach at the time. When Patsy’s daughter, Wendy, transferred to Missouri Western two years later, she and Patsy were the no. 1 duo on the team. In 1994, even before she graduated, Patsy took over the tennis team as coach. Then she had the pleasure of coaching her daughter, Shannon, when she joined the team. In 1998, Patsy coached the team to its first- ever NCAA Tournament. That same year, she became the first athletics business manager at Missouri Western. Since then, she has served in the department of athletics as compliance and academics, director of finance, and assistant Bonnie Greene with students in a bowling class. athletics director. Today, she is the associate director of athletics and the continued next page senior woman administrator. She also oversees women’s soccer, tennis continued from p. 16 and volleyball. for the volleyball team. And just six years after its inaugural season, the Patsy said the fact that she was the first woman who was not coaching softball team became Missouri Western’s only national champion in its at the time to hold the senior woman administrator position showed history. “The softball team wasn’t very good at all at first, but it didn’t take that Missouri Western administration saw the importance of a woman them long,” Rhesa said with a laugh. being involved in the administrative side. “They’ve (the administration) When Rhesa started at Missouri Western, women’s sports were part of been progressive in adding sports and adding positions that support the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women because women women’s athletics.” She also noted that the MIAA conference has also weren’t allowed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics been progressive in involving women in decision-making, noting that the (NAIA), the men’s athletic association. After about five years, women were senior woman administrators from each institution vote along with the allowed to join the NAIA, and Rhesa said that made things a little easier, athletic directors. including having more money for full scholarships. That has given women the opportunity to serve on national A look at rosters from the early years of women’s intercollegiate sports committees, and Patsy just concluded a term as a member of the NCAA reveals that several of the women played more than one sport. Division II Championships Committee. Rhesa’s sister, Chris Sumrell ’80, was one of those women, as she She said she has enjoyed her years in Missouri Western athletics played volleyball, basketball and tennis for Missouri Western from 1976- and doesn’t see a lot of change in the female athletes from her coaching 80. She said she signed a letter of intent and earned a scholarship to play and playing years to today. “They are still competitive,” she said of the basketball, but when she arrived on campus, “Rhesa said, ‘By the way, women. “They want to win and be a part of athletics as much as ever.” you’re going to play tennis and volleyball, too,’” Chris said with a laugh. Today, she says, women’s sports are a prominent part of Missouri “Rhesa went to the mat a lot, fighting for equality and ways to get more Western’s athletic program, playing an equal role to the men’s sports. money for sports,” Chris said. “It was definitely a building time.” Playing in the inaugural years of women’s collegiate sports, Chris said they felt a lot of pressure and felt like they had something to prove. “It had to be that way. We were fighting for equality.” Three years after Rhesa arrived at Missouri Western, Debbie Bumpus was hired to coach women’s basketball, but Rhesa led the volleyball and softball teams until she left in 1986 to coach softball at University of Missouri-Columbia. She retired from University of Central Missouri in 2006. “There was a stigma for women playing sports; it wasn’t the womanly thing to do. But I fought it anyway,” Rhesa said. “Now it’s so much fun seeing male athletes having daughters and expecting their daughters to play sports.” Rhesa Sumrell with Missouri Western’s first women’s volleyball team. Alumni News
From the Alumni Association President Calendar of Dear Fellow Alumni, award, the continued success of the “It was the best of times, it was the worst of Craig School of Business venture with the times.” Charles Dickens Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and Events This quote has been used to the point of an unprecedented period of growth and becoming cliché, but it really does accurately expansion of our fine arts program and Sept. 14-15 Family Weekend represent the state of affairs at performances on campus. Missouri Western right now. These are exciting times at Sept. 28-29 Wendy’s Hall of Fame Weekend. Game, Griffons vs. Central Oklahoma Financially, the university Missouri Western! Bronchos. is struggling through an From an Alumni Board unprecedented time in our standpoint, we continue to see Oct. 4 Convocation on Critical Issues state. Decreased revenues and growth in our events as our featuring T. Boone Pickens, 10:30 a.m., M.O. tighter budgets at the state alumni base grows and more Looney Arena, free. level have caused funding to new grads become involved in be a constant source of concern. alumni activities. I encourage Oct. 4-7 “J.B.” theatre production, written According to a nationally you to go to at least one event by Archibald MacLeish. Go to www.mwsutix.com recognized financial consultant, this year that you have never for details or to purchase tickets. our operating funds per student Dr. Robert Sigrist ’95 attended. If you haven’t been have declined by 18 percent on campus recently, I encourage Oct. 8-13 Homecoming Week! See p. 22 in the last four years when adjusted for you to visit. See firsthand the exciting for details and events. Game is Oct. 13 – inflation. To summarize, our leadership growth that has occurred since you’ve last Griffons vs. Missouri Southern Lions. continues to be asked to do more with less. been here. If your experiences are like mine, While it is a difficult time financially, your times at Missouri Western really are Nov. 3 Football Reunion and Senior Day, there are many exciting things going “the best of times.” I hope to see many of you Griffons vs. Washburn Ichabods. on at our university. We continue to see experiencing those times this year. record enrollments, as more and more Nov. 29-Dec. 12 “Annie,” musical students access the learning opportunities Go Griffs! theatre production. Go to www.mwsutix.com for at Missouri Western. We’ve seen successes details or to purchase tickets. in our athletic programs, students being recognized nationally in various areas, an Dec. 15 Commencement, 11 a.m., M.O. instructor being selected for a Fulbright Dr. Robert Sigrist ’95 Looney Complex arena, followed by a reception in the old gym.
Alumni at the ballgames Left, top: At a St. Joseph Mustangs game this summer, former coach Doug Minnis and the Griffons’ 1975 baseball team were inducted into the St. Joseph Baseball Hall of Fame. Left, below, several baseball alumni played the Mustangs for the Hall of Fame game. Right: The Beck family - Brandon ’11, Kerry ’78, Katie, Nicole and Marilyn ’77, enjoyed the Royals vs. Cardinals game at Missouri Western Alumni Day at Kauffman.
18 Western Magazine SPRING 2012www.missouriwestern.edu 18 Grateful for grapes
ne of life’s gifts is that each of us, “Ono matter how tired and down- trodden, finds reasons for thankfulness: for the crops carried in from the fields and the grapes from the vineyard.” - J. Robert Moskin
Ah, the beautiful Missouri countryside – tall stands of corn, Kraig and Becky Keesaman with their daughter at Windy Wine. soybean fields, pastures of grazing cattle, wheat fields swaying in the wind, big round bales of hay, and … The first wine he made to sell was have a coffee bar and sell many local grapes. Grapes? Yes, grapes. Just east the Angus Red, but Kraig, who has a products, including Kraig’s family’s of Stewartsville and a little ways north public relations degree from Missouri Angus beef. of Hwy. 36, grapes are growing in a Western, says the best seller is Good Kraig is a full-time vintner, and Becky, vineyard next to a brand new copper- News Red, “a Missouri Sangria.” who earned a BSBA in Marketing from topped building. “I really like it,” he said of his new Missouri Western, works at DSV in Welcome to Windy Wine Company, career. “I’m more of a plant grower Kansas City, Mo., a supplier of transport the northernmost winery in Missouri than a livestock producer. If I were and logistics solutions. They have two and the only one in DeKalb County. working with row crops right now, I’d children. The winery in the heart of northwest be experimenting with them.” “We’re a faith-based business,” Kraig Missouri opened a retail site this past The winery features a tasting said. “We try to be good stewards of spring after several months of selling room, picnic tables and a deck, and what has been given to us.” its wine wholesale to about a dozen the Keesamans plan to host a lot of And if you’re Kraig, if you’re given area retail stores. Windy Wine, which activities on the grounds. They also grapes, you make wine. includes approximately six acres of grapes, is owned by Kraig ’08, and Becky Alumni helped at a Habitat for Humanity house this summer. Pictured is Randie Fisher (on the ladder), ’04, Keesaman. Beth Fisher-Blancard ’11, Bruce Kneib ’84, and Carole Dunn ’91. On the approximately 1,600-acre Missouri Century Farm known for its Angus cattle and typical Missouri crops, Kraig is the seventh generation to till the land, but the first to grow and tend grapes. Kraig, who says he has always been an “experimenter,” (Becky says he’s a good cook, too) started out brewing varieties of beer until Becky suggested he try his hand at wine. He got so many compliments on the wine, he decided to start a vineyard and keep experimenting. Kraig learned a lot when he worked at Pirtle Winery in Weston, Mo., a few years back, and he has taken University of Missouri Extension courses on wine making. Alumni News Two former Griffons make headlines wo former Griffon student athletes Tmade headlines this past summer as they competed on some of the biggest stages in their respective sports. Former basketball player Larry Taylor ’04, competed on the Brazilian re Dreams Come Tr team at the London Olympics. Larry, Whe ue who hails from Chicago, played for Homecoming 2012 the Griffons 2001-03. He was a major contributor to teams that won an MIAA regular season and conference tournament championship and made Thursday, October 11 two consecutive trips to the NCAA 30th annual Alumni Association Awards Banquet, 5:45 p.m. Reception, Tournament. He was a two-time All- 6:30 p.m. Dinner, Fulkerson Center. MIAA selection, including second- team honors his senior year and was 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award: Donna Jean Boyer ’64, Al Landes and also named the MIAA’s first Defensive Mike Mastio ’95. Player of the Year after the 2003 season. Larry received his degree in business Distinguished Faculty Award: Roger Voelkel, Department of Nursing. management and, since graduation, has been playing professionally overseas. GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award: Jonn Casey ’02. His journey has taken him to Mexico, Venezuela and now Brazil, where he Herb ’35, and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University: has been since the 2008 season. Larry Zack Workman ’74. became a Brazilian citizen and is a national hero for his play on the court. Former golfer Brice Garnett ’06, continues to work his way up the Friday, October 12 professional ranks. After a solid start Golf outing, 8:30 a.m., Fairview Golf Course, St. Joseph to his nationwide tour season in which Pep rally and bonfire, 8 p.m., he made seven of nine cuts, Brice won Spratt Memorial Stadium – alumni are invited! the Springfield, Ohio, sectional qualifier and competed in the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco in June. In the qualifier at Springfield, Brice’s Saturday, October 13 36-hole total of nine under par was Parade downtown, 9:30 a.m. two shots better than the second place Arts, Beats and Treats, following the parade. Join us for a fun family event – finisher. The U.S. Open is the arts and crafts, games, balloon dude, face painting and refreshments – all FREE. first PGA Tour event in which he competed. Tailgate, 11:30 a.m., Lot H Game, 1:30 p.m., Griffons vs. Missouri Southern Lions, Spratt Memorial Stadium. Order tickets online – gogriffons.com and click on “Tickets.” Ribbon Cutting and tours of Greek Village in Juda Hall, following the game. Alumni Reception, and Greek and SGA Reunions, 5 p.m., Fulkerson Center. Get your teams together for our first Trivia Night!
20 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Event Registration Griffon Country - Where Dreams Come True
Register for Homecoming events below. For more information, call 816-271-5646 or email [email protected].
Name ______Class year ______
Address ______
Phone ______Email ______
I want to make a reservation for ______@ $30 each for the Alumni Awards Banquet. I want to make a reservation for ______@ $35 each for the Alumni Golf Outing. I want to make a reservation for ______@ $5 each for the Alumni, Greek and SGA Reunions and Trivia Night. TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $______
I have enclosed Check payable to MWSU Foundation OR Credit Card Information:
Type of card: MasterCard Visa Discover American Express
Personal Card OR Business Card Business Name ______
Name on card ______3- or 4-digit code ______Exp. Date ______
Credit Card # ______Signature ______
PLEASE INCLUDE NAMES OF ALL GUESTS:
______
______
Mail to: Alumni Services, 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt 108, St. Joseph, MO 64507. moved to St. Joseph after he had already completed one year at a community college in Nebraska. “My experience was centered around my desire to become a journalist, a decision I made as a high school sophomore,” he said. He calls his three years on the staff of the Griffon News the highlight of his Missouri Western experience. Tim said his favorite classes were those related to his English major, particularly creative writing with Dr. John Gilgun. “I truly appreciate the fine education I received at Missouri Western, as it directly contributed to me being able to step in and become a professional journalist,” Tim said. “I wish I could personally thank each of the professors and instructors who took their time to support me in my growth as a person and citizen.” oday, more and more people seem to be taking After graduating from Missouri Western, Ta good, long look at their eating habits and Tim worked for the St. Joseph News-Press/ Gazette, where he had been working part-time lifestyles. Three alumni and two students have done as a student. He worked there 12 years before relocating to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. just that and made some changes toward more While job seeking there, he saw that The Edge healthful, satisfactory living. had an opening for a managing editor’s position, and the magazine’s mission piqued his interest. life is what Tim calls “an ongoing evolution, “In the mid-1990s, The Edge was a free Tim Miejan ’83 both inwardly and outwardly.” He has a personal monthly tabloid that focused on alternative A holistic perspective interest in natural products and complementary healing, spirituality, metaphysics, intuition and For Tim Miejan ’83, his desire to live a health care practices related to living a stress- other aspects of holistic living,” Tim said. “My holistic, healthy lifestyle started at an early age, free life. For him, a holistic lifestyle extends desire to live simply, in a non-toxic environment, thanks to his mother, from the products he buys with a rich inner life, contributed to my choice and eventually led to his (an electric, rechargeable to join The Edge and offer the public a way to current career. Tim is lawnmower and a hybrid car) express and share these ideas.” the co-owner and editor to the food he eats (as organic He noted that The Edge offered a unique of The Edge, a monthly as possible). forum to explore belief systems and ways magazine that explores Tim says he has also of healing outside of what was available in all aspects of holistic integrated meditation mainstream newspapers. living. He was hired as into his daily life and has His wife, Rachel, he says, has been great managing editor in 1995, sought to become more influence on his desire for a holistic lifestyle. She and he and a colleague “awake with regard to my is a Reiki healer and teacher (Reiki is hands-on bought the print and personal consciousness in healing that channels universal life force energy online publication relationship with others and to others). in 2009. my environment.” “I have always had an open mind with regard Integrating holistic He enrolled at Missouri to spirituality and a desire live in balance with principles into his daily Western when his family my environment,” Tim said. Tim Miejan ’83
22 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu Jennifer Morris, with sons Shaden, Asher and Landan.
JenniferBack toMorris nature ’01 Jennifer Morris grew up on a farm near Cosby, Mo., and couldn’t wait to leave home and move to “the city.” After marrying in 1999, she and her husband, Aaron, settled in a farmhouse in the country, but it wasn’t until her first child was born a few years later that Jennifer began to enjoy country living. And in the past few years, she has fully embraced the lifestyle, filling her farm with livestock and produce. “I’m really into ‘self-sustaining,’” she says. “I want my kids to know how to grow their own food.” Jennifer says she never really thought much about healthy eating until she became pregnant with her first child (she has three sons – Landan, Asher and Shaden). “For the first time, I thought about what I was taking into my body. I started reading labels and stopped assuming what is on the store shelf is safe.” First she started growing lots of produce in a chemical-free vegetable garden. Then she bought some chickens for both eggs and meat. Then she bought goats for milk. The next year, she increased the size of her garden and acquired turkeys, calves and bees. The family has an orchard with five different kinds of fruit trees, and four different berry patches on their property. Now she’s thinking about getting a pig. She has even tried growing wheat, grinding it into flour and making bread. And, of course, Jennifer grows lots of herbs and even stevia as a natural sweetener. “I love sugar – I just want it to be good for me.” She freezes a lot of her produce and started canning after a friend’s grandmother taught her how. Her goal is to grow and raise enough produce and meat for the family to be self- sustaining throughout the entire year. For Jennifer, it’s about being self-sustaining, but also about eating healthy and knowing what has gone into your food. She said it may be expensive to feed the calves they are raising for meat, but it is convenient and she likes knowing what is going into her future meat. “When I had kids, I realized how blessed I was to live out here. I don’t need all the ‘things,’” Jennifer says. “I just need my family.” Rachel Detweiler ’03, and her daughter, Zoey
Rachel Detwieler ’03 A vegan diet Rachel Detwieler ’03, says she was happy with her accounting degree and enjoyed working as an accountant, but changes in her eating habits have led her to a new love – trying and testing new recipes. “I’m blessed with a husband and children who are willing to try anything and don’t make a face when I put something new in front of them,” she says with a laugh. “I’m an experimenter.” Rachel and her family are vegans, so she likes to try new things that are not animal products or animal-related products. For them, it’s all about healthy eating and not necessarily animal advocacy, Rachel says. When she became pregnant with her first child about six years ago, she was already a vegetarian, but she decided to change to a vegan diet and has never looked back. During her pregnancy, she commuted to her accounting job in Kansas City and sometimes worked 12 hours days. But Rachel never missed a day of work and had a healthy baby. “My boss used to make fun of me for not eating meat, but she realized I never missed work throughout my pregnancy, and later said she thought it was due to my diet,” Rachel said. She and her husband, Keith ’05, and their three children, Sean, Zoey and Izak, live in the country outside of Savannah, Mo., and they try to grow as much of their food as possible, canning and freezing the garden produce. They also try to use as many heirloom seeds as possible, which are original, non-hybrid seeds. And, they use no chemicals in their raised-bed gardens. Rachel calls their diet, “a very mixed approach,” where the family eats a wide variety of foods to ensure they are getting the nutrition they need. Rachel said she has always been interested in a healthy lifestyle and probably started on continued next page
24 missouri Western Magazine continued from p. 24 the path to veganism as a young child. She Veganism has become a way of life for more of their issues disappeared. That naturally remembers reading the Book of Daniel in her – she tries to buy clothes made from led her, her parents, and four siblings to the the Bible as a child, and being struck by the environmentally friendly fabrics, and of course, paleo diet, which they have been faithfully reference to Daniel’s healthy diet as opposed to she does not buy leather products. She also following for the past year. the king’s “rich foods. That has always been an visits the website, leapingbunny.org, to learn “Paleo,” which is short for the Paleolithic inspiration to me, but it never really kicked in which consumer products are made with no period of about 2.5 million years that ended until college.” animal testing. about 10,000 years ago with the development of When she was pregnant with Zoey, her “I’ve discovered that you kind of ease into it agriculture, consists of a diet of meat, fish, fowl, second child, a college friend got Rachel and replace one thing at a time.” vegetables, fruits and nuts. interested in raw foods, and she enrolled in a Jennifer set up a table in the Blum Union “The idea is about using evolutionary thinking class on raw food preparation through Missouri last semester and passed out vegan food and to become healthy, and thinking about what we Western’s Western Institute. Although her literature, and she is starting a new student are best adapted to eat,” she said. family’s diet is not exclusively raw, she and a organization on campus for animal advocacy, all Hillary said her family has progressed from friend have been offering classes once a month in an effort to make people more aware of how a basic paleo diet to “Paleo 2.0,” where they are for almost two years in St. Joseph for anyone animals are treated in food processing. now choosing grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, interested in the vegan and/or raw diet. Students were receptive to trying her vegan raw nuts and organic foods. “I love accounting but cooking and healthy choices in the student union, Jennifer said, She believes her family also feels better eating are my new passions,” Rachel says. and several picked up information that she had because they have eliminated “a ton of sugar displayed. It was out of her comfort zone to set from our diets. Once you eliminate the sugar, up a table and talk to people walking by, but really common complaints and health problems she is passionate about her beliefs and wants to that people have go away.” Jennifer Kepner make other students aware. Animal advocate This fall, Hillary, who completed three years “I think people can make a difference,” Missouri Western student Jennifer Kepner at Missouri Western, started medical school Jennifer said. “If every person would stop eating believes that if meat-packing plants had glass at the Kansas City University of Medicine and meat just once a week, it would save a lot of walls, more people would stop eating meat, as Biosciences. She was admitted to KCUMB when animals.” she has. “Animals have the right to be left alone,” she was a sophomore as part of a partnership she says. “I can’t eat meat knowing how the program between Missouri Western and animals are slaughtered.” KCUMB. Jennifer had been a vegetarian for about three The St. Joseph native said she chose or four years, but after watching videos and PleasedHillary with Turner paleo Missouri Western because “I knew I had a good documentaries, such as “Meet your Meat,” about Hillary Turner said when her family gave up shot of getting into medical school if I came animal treatment at meat-packing plants, she dairy products, many of their digestive problems here. I knew they had a really solid biology and became a vegan this past year. “I just assumed went away. And when they cut out grains, many chemistry program.” She said that the laws would protect university exceeded her expectations. animals,” she said. But her “I was very impressed with all the research made her realize programs, and the opportunities for they don’t. The Best Vegan Banana Bread Jennifer’s youngest son independent research.” is on board with the vegan 1 c. flour Hillary said since her family went 2 large very ripe bananas lifestyle, but her husband 1 c. whole wheat flour paleo, her grandparents have started ¼ c. applesauce and one son are not ¾ t. baking soda on the plan, along with many of her ¼ c. canola oil vegans. “It’s their choice. I 1 t. ground cinnamon friends and her friends’ families. ½ c. sucanat sugar (pure dried ¼ t. ground nutmeg She said she doesn’t push the diet don’t think it’s right for me sugar cane juice) ½ t. salt on people, but just tries to provide to tell them how to live.” 2 T. molasses For the criminal justice them with information. One book she major, her vegan lifestyle recommends is “The Paleo Answer,” by is all about the treatment Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Mash the Loren Cordain. of animals, but she said bananas well. Add sugar, applesauce, oil and molasses and mix well with a “It’s great. All of us are feeling many people choose to be whisk. Stir in flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix better than we ever have,” vegans because of issues until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Hillary says. such as sustainability, Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the water use and pollution. top is lightly browned and a knife in the center comes out clean. Alumni News
Faithful, proud and true: Richard & Barbara Crumley
rom the moment they stepped on the even returned later to teach a couple of many years and is currently serving as FSt. Joseph Junior College campus, courses. In 2006, Richard received the president. Richard has helped the group Barbara and Richard Crumley have Distinguished Faculty Award from the solicit sponsors for its annual fund- been serving Missouri Western and the Alumni Association. raiser, Night at the Ritz, for several St. Joseph community. Barbara said when they first arrived years. Richard began teaching biology at on campus, the wife of John Yancey, a “I think it’s a wonderful organization the Junior College in 1967, moved to biology professor, encouraged the young for the good they do for nontraditional the new campus with the four-year wives of new faculty members to get students,” Richard said. institution in 1969, and continued to to know each other. They were further In the community, Barbara teach until he retired and was named encouraged by Dorsey Looney, the wife and Richard, who are both from professor emeritus in 2000. He served of President M.O. Looney, and by the Fredonia, Kan., were sponsors for New as department chair for 17 years and time they arrived on the new campus, Generation Singers for several years Barbara said the wives when their son, David, was a member. were a close-knit They have also been very active in their organization. church, Wyatt Park Christian, serving That group became in several leadership roles, teaching the Faculty Wives Vacation Bible School, helping out Club, and Barbara with an after-school program, and said they raised accompanying youth on mission trips. money for benches Barbara also served as the director of and flowers for the the church’s Parents Day Out program. new campus. The They have also helped at Trails West! Faculty Wives Club Festivals in St. Joseph. became Missouri They also began a local and Western Women, statewide group for children with and then the learning disabilities. Barbara and Richard Crumley are joined by their grandson, Ben, a Ambassadors. They have two children, David and Missouri Western student; and Katie Caldwell at the MWSU Barbara served on Angela, and two grandchildren, Ben Ambassadors’ 2012 Night at the Ritz. the executive board of and Caleb. Ben is currently a student at the Ambassadors for Missouri Western. Junior College Reunion Left, a new plaque recognizing the St. Joseph Junior College was unveiled at the Junior College Reunion this past spring on the University Plaza. Funds for the plaque were donated by Bill ’56, and Phyllis Gondring. Right, Joe Friedman ’39, entertained at the Junior College Reunion with songs from “Fiddler on the Roof.” Joe performed the songs on Broadway many years.
26 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu alumnotes 1960s LINDA JUDAH ’82 & ’94, executive director of PAULA (WHITE) ’04, and the Social Welfare Board in St. Joseph, received ERIC ’06, JESSEN, announce LEECHIA JONES ’66, was honored with a the Woman in the Workplace Award at the 2012 the birth of a son, Landon Lee, Woman in the Workplace Lifetime Achievement YWCA Women of Excellence awards ceremony. born May 19, 2012. Award at the 2012 YWCA Women of Excellence awards ceremony. DR. MELISSA K. STUART ’83, was promoted to HANNAH (BOGLE) KLINGINSMITH ’05, and professor of microbiology at A.T. Still University, her husband, David, announce the birth of a 1970s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, daughter, Kaitlyn Noel, born Dec. 20, 2012. Kirksville, Mo. She also received the A.T. Still RICHARD DURST ’71, retired July 1, 2012 and Staff Award for Excellence in Teaching for the LESLIE (KORTHANKE) WHITE ’05, and her was named president emeritus of Baldwin- 2011-12 academic year. husband, Clayton, announce the birth of a Wallace University. He continues to help B-W daughter, Emery Elise, born April 10, 2012. with international recruitment in India and MIKE O’DONNELL ’84, was named grand serves as institutional liaison on some of the marshal of the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day parade in Luke Gorham ’06, and university’s grant-funded initiatives. The new Cameron, Mo. Alissa Pei were married home for admissions at B-W is named the June 2, 2012, in Kansas City, FRANK WHEELER ’85, is the activities director Richard and Karen Durst Welcome Center in Mo. The couple resides in for Blue Springs (Mo.) High School. honor of his wife, Karen ’72, and him. Columbia, Mo. GREGORY MASON ’89, was promoted to brigadier-general in February 2012. He was also appointed as assistant adjutant general-Army for the Missouri Army National Guard. 1990s
DR. ANDREW JOHNSON ’91, received the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award from Park ROY GRIMES ’74, U.S. Army retired, is working University in Parkville, Mo. He is a professor of Several alumni gathered for the wedding of Luke for the Department of Defense at Forward psychology and has been at Park 15 years. Gorham ’06, and Alissa Pei in June: Demetrius Operating Base Lagman, Qalat, Zabul Province, SCOTT ARCHIBALD ’95, was named principal Kemp ’08, John Fabsits ’04, Dustin Racen, Afghanistan. at Albany (Mo.) R-III High School. Sylvester Brandon ’05, Luke, Ian Anderson, Hakim Smith ’06, Jeremy Wilder ’07, and Brad WILLIAM “SKIP” FOSTER ’76, assistant coach MIKE KIMBROUGH ’95, is a function unit Dixon ’08. at Excelsior Springs High School, was selected manager with the Missouri Department of as 2011 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Corrections. He has two children, Britney BRUCE GOLL ’07, is a juvenile officer for the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches and Austin. 43rd Judicial Circuit Court in Missouri. Association. SANDRA EAST ’97, is working for Nebraska DARI CONARD ’09, joined the Peace Corps 1980s State Probation as a specialized substance abuse in March 2011 and is serving in Radushne, supervision probation officer. Ukraine. Her service includes teaching English, TIMOTHY ROONEY ’80, was named chief health and HIV awareness and prevention. financial and legislative officer at Rockwood JENNIFER (ROGERS) STANEK ’99, and her School District in Eureka, Mo. husband, Craig, announce the birth of a 2010s daughter, Sara Margaret, born April 4, 2012. CHARLES BRUFFY ’81, artistic director of the KAYLA (DUERFELDT) RUSSELL ’10, is an Phoenix Chorale and chorus director of the 2000s assistant compliance officer for Horizon State Kansas City Symphony Chorus, released a CD, Bank in Cameron, Mo. “Northern Lights: Choral Works by Ola Gjeilo,” BETH (ARCHER) CATHCART ’00, and her with the Phoenix Chorale. husband, Chaney, announce the birth of a REBECCA WEDDLE ’11, and LOGAN daughter, Layla Grace, born May 6, 2012. She KIMBERLING ’11, were married May 26, 2012. joins big sisters Claire and Kendall. The couple resides in Columbia, Mo. ZAC COUGHLIN ’01, is principal at Savannah
High School, Savannah, Mo. FALL 2012 27 alumnotes
In Memory ... Former Regent We honor those who have passed away. If you want to include someone in this listing, please call 816-271-5651, or mail the information to Diane Holtz, Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs passes away Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, or email [email protected]. arbara Sprong, an active volunteer and WILLIAM S. ALLEN ’40, Overland Park, Kan., SHARON (TILSON) HURST ’90, Savannah, Mo., Bleader in the St. Joseph community, died June 16, 2011. Feb. 17, 2012. June 26, 2012. She served on the Missouri Western Board of Regents from 1986-91. DONALD L. CLARY, Troy, Kan., March 20, 2012. JAMES DANIEL JONES ’71, Lathrop, Mo., The Barbara Sprong Leadership Challenge, a May 19, 2012. KEITH PAUL EVANS, St. Joseph, Mo., Nov. 2, program for students which began in 1992 and 2011. Keith attended Missouri Western from RICHARD L. MCCAULEY 72, Stewartsville, Mo., continues today, is named in her honor. 1980-85. April 8, 2012. In the 1970s, Barbara was one of the founders of the Missouri Western Ambassadors, TRALUCIA W. FRANKLIN ’73, St. Joseph, Mo., CONNIE (EVANS) MOTHERSHEAD ’72, a group which raises funds for scholarships for April 13, 2012. St. Joseph, Mo., Feb. 17, 2012. nontraditional students. DR. LEO A. GALLOWAY, St. Joseph, Mo., Feb. JOHN MUEHLENBACHER JC, St. Joseph, Mo., Barbara served on numerous boards and 19, 2012. Leo was a biology professor from March 21, 2012. was the founder of many programs in the 1972-80. He described and named a new spe- community aimed at helping youth and women cies of endangered plant known as large fruited NANCY SPRINGS ’95, Dearborn, Mo., March 21, in St. Joseph, many of which are still in sand verbena, and he contributed to a 12-volume 2012. operation today. reference for botanists, “Flora of North America.”
Tell us what’s new!
Name ______Maiden ______Class of ______
Spouse ______Class of ______Alum’s Birthday ______
Address ______City, State ______Zip______
Phone ______email ______
What’s New ______
______
______
Return to: Alumni Services Office, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507 Submit your news online at www.missouriwestern.edu/magazine/alumnote.asp or email [email protected].
28 missouri Western Magazine www.missouriwestern.edu “Little Shop of Horrors”
Last year’s theatre season a success; shows announced for this season he 2011-12 theatre season, “A Season of Classics,” is being called a 2012-13 shows include: success, as more than 7,700 people attended the four productions. T • Oct. 4-7: “J.B.” by Archibald MacLeish. This modern retelling of the Biblical “We’re very grateful that the campus and the St. Joseph community story of Job won the 1959 Tony Award for Best Play. have been so supportive,” said Tee Quillin, assistant professor of theatre and cinema. “We knew that a four-show season was ambitious, but we • Nov. 29-Dec. 8: “Annie,” book by Thomas Meeha, music by Charles were also confident that audiences would embrace and appreciate the Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charmin, based on the Tribune Media Service spectacular talents of our students.” comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” The story of the spunky Depression-era “Romeo and Juliet” played to sold-out audiences over four orphan who wins the heart of billionaire Oliver Warbucks won the 1977 performances in October, with a total attendance of 1,340. “A Christmas Tony Award for Best Musical. Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas” drew nearly 3,500 people to 11 • Feb. 21-24 and Feb. 28-March 3: “Private Lives,” by Noel Coward and performances in December. More than 1,000 people attended the four “God of Carnage,” by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton. performances of “Arsenic and Old Lace” in February, with more than “Private Lives” won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. “God of 1,800 attending the eight performances of the musical “Little Shop of Carnage,” a comedy about grown-ups who meet to discuss the behavior of Horrors” in April. their children and become increasingly childish themselves, won the 2009 Dates have already been set for the 2012-13 season, “A Year of the Tony for Best Play. Tony,” and five productions are scheduled. “We’re stretching ourselves again next season, with two musicals and • April 11-14: “Sweeney Todd,” book by Hugh Wheeler, music and lyrics by what we’re calling a ‘repertory coupling’ of two plays on alternate nights Stephen Sondheim, based on a version of “Sweeney Todd” by Christopher over two weekends,” said Dallas Henry, assistant professor of theatre and Bond. This rare instance of a musical thriller, with its tale of culinary crime, cinema. “We hope the community will again come out and enjoy what’s won the 1979 Tony Award for Best Musical. sure to be a memorable season.” Tickets are available at mwsutix.com, or call the box office at 816-271-4452.
“Romeo & Juliet” “A Christmas Carol”
Fall 2012 29 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Lawrence, KS Permit No. 116 Missouri Western State University 4525 Downs Drive St. Joseph, Missouri 64507
CHIEFS on campus!
The Kansas City Chiefs drew large crowds at their 2012 training camp at Missouri
Western this summer. Fans enjoyed a special treat this year – the Arizona Cardinals
practiced with the Chiefs prior to the two teams’ preseason game Aug. 10.